Episode 1:Legacy of Blood

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*Flashback*

Tears streamed down Ranvijay’s cheeks as he stood frozen, staring at his father's lifeless body. The room was filled with mourners, some whispering in hushed tones, others sobbing quietly. But all Ranvijay could hear was silence — the deafening silence of grief. His father, Hakeem, was gone. And with him, a part of Ranvijay’s soul.

*Present Day – Sharda University*

Inside a bright classroom at Sharda University, students were taking turns presenting heartfelt speeches about their fathers. Laughter and applause filled the air as memories were shared. It was Shaina’s turn.

She stood confidently and conclude, “The bottom line is—my father is the best in the world.”

The class clapped warmly for her. Everyone smiled—except Mahika, her adoptive sister figure, whose face held a shadow of envy.

“Thank you, Shaina,” Miss Riya said, marking her sheet. “Next, we have... Ranvijay Singh.”

Ranvijay stood up slowly, his heart pounding. A nervous sweat clung to his palms as painful memories stirred.

*Flashback*

Years earlier, before his father’s death, Ranvijay had confronted his mother.

“Mum, stop lying to me,” he said, voice trembling. “I saw Dad... I saw him kill someone last night—in the guest room.”

His mother stared at him, stunned into silence, her face drained of color.

*PRESENTLY*

Ranvijay stood before the class, his voice calm but filled with weight.

“My father,” he began, “was a notorious underworld figure.”

The room fell into a stunned silence. A few students exchanged uneasy glances; others stared at him, wide-eyed. Some looked at him with curiosity, others with quiet discomfort. But Ranvijay didn’t falter.

“My mum encouraged me never to be ashamed of my father. So I’m not. He’s the best man in my world.” He paused, then added gently, “Thank you.”

He walked out of the classroom with quiet dignity, leaving behind a class full of stunned faces and unspoken thoughts.

Meanwhile, at Khan’s mansion, tension brewed.

Tariq and Zoya were at it again—this time about the constant clashes between Mahika and Shaina.

“You and I are the only parents she knows!” Zoya snapped, clearly on edge.

“Zoya, stop defending her blindly,” Tariq replied, frustrated. “She’s always picking fights with Mahika.”

“So what?” Zoya shot back, her voice rising. “Shaina is my daughter. Her parents gave her to me—she’s under my care.”

Tariq clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing. “She’s not even your blood. Stop pushing Mahika aside for an outsider.”

Zoya’s face fell. The words cut deeper than he knew.

Tariq sighed, his tone firm but tired. “Stop dragging Mahika into your obsession with playing savior.”

With that, he turned and walked off, leaving Zoya stunned, hurt, and fighting the tears welling in her eyes.

*FLASHBACK*

It was Hakeem’s birthday, and Ranvijay had stayed up late at the mansion, waiting excitedly for his father. The house was dark and still, the clock ticking loudly in the background.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed.

Hakeem walked in.

“Happy birthday, Dad,” young Ranvijay said softly, approaching his father with hesitant eyes.

But Hakeem, already seething with anger, didn’t care for birthday wishes. He stormed into the room, glaring at his ten-year-old son.

“Where’s your mother? Why are you so stupid?” he snapped. “Go to your room—NOW!”

Ranvijay flinched. His heart raced, fear crawling up his spine. But instead of retreating, he stood his ground.

“Dad… yesterday, I saw you,” he whispered. “I saw you kill that man.”

Hakeem froze. For a split second, he looked stunned. But then, a slow, wicked smile crept across his face. He let out a low laugh, dark and proud.

“Really?” he said with a chilling calm. “That’s great. Do you know why I killed him?”

Ranvijay stood silent, confused and afraid.

“Because,” Hakeem said coldly, “I’m taking my revenge.”

Ranvijay nodded slowly, his young mind struggling to understand the weight of those words.

*Present Day – Sharda University*

Ranvijay stood outside the lecture hall, quietly tapping away on his phone. The October breeze rustled around him, but his mind was somewhere else—buried in the echoes of his past.

Suddenly, a group of boys from his class approached with smug grins.

“Hey Aryan, isn’t that the madman’s boy?” one of them laughed.

Aryan snatched the phone from Ranvijay’s hands. “You are the mad man’s son, right?”

Ranvijay’s heart dropped. “Please... give it back,” he said calmly, trying not to show fear.

Yug stepped forward, smirking. “Thug or what, huh?”

Ranvijay reached for his phone, but before he could, they shoved him back and began beating him.

From a distance, Shaina spotted the commotion while walking with her friend Nithya. Her expression turned fierce, and she rushed over without hesitation.

“Hey! Leave him alone!” she shouted, stepping between them.

Aryan sneered, backing off. “See you around, loser.”

He and Yug walked away, laughing.

Shaina turned to Ranvijay, gently helping him up. “You okay?”

Ranvijay nodded slowly, his eyes meeting hers. In that brief moment, amidst the pain, he felt something rare—comfort.

Meanwhile, at school

Amit leaned against the wall beside his locker, his voice low as he spoke to his close friend Avik. “Dude, at first I thought Shaina was just my rival,” he admitted, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “But now... it’s real. It’s true love.”

Avik chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “The arrogant queen of the school? That Shaina?”

Amit frowned, clearly defensive. “She’s not arrogant. She just doesn’t know you that well.”

Avik’s amused expression dropped into something more irritated. “No, Amit. She is arrogant. It’s in her blood—her dad’s rich, powerful... she walks around like the world owes her.”

Before Amit could respond, both of them noticed Shaina walking down the corridor. She was flanked by Nithya and a new boy—Ranvijay. Amit straightened slightly.

“What’s she doing with the new guy?” he muttered, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

At Khan’s Mansion

Zoya sat by the window, the sunlight casting a soft glow over her tired face. Across from her sat Ananya, her oldest friend, who had come to visit after sensing something was wrong.

Zoya sighed heavily. “It’s like… I’m starting to lose interest in Mahika,” she confessed, her voice laced with guilt.

Ananya looked shocked. “Zoya, she’s twenty. You’re the only mother she’s known. You adopted her when she was barely five. That’s nearly fifteen years.”

Zoya nodded slowly and took a sip of water. “Yeah, I know… I just can’t keep defending her. I find myself always siding with Shaina, and I hate that.”

Ananya looked at her with concern, unsure of how to respond. Zoya’s conflict ran deeper than a simple disagreement—it was about loyalty, motherhood, and the painful realities of divided affection.

Elsewhere…

Shaina and Nithya were deep in conversation, their steps falling in sync as they walked through the school gardens.

“I was like—what the hell are you doing?” Nithya exclaimed, reliving the moment she had witnessed Ranvijay’s confrontation earlier.

Shaina’s voice was soft, almost vulnerable. “I just feel really sorry for him… about his dad. Even though his father was a thug, he’s still holding himself together. That’s not easy.”

Nithya scoffed. “Dude, you literally just befriended him a few minutes ago.”

She suddenly stopped walking, grabbing Shaina gently by the wrist. Her eyes narrowed playfully. “Wait… are you in love with him? Don’t tell me yes!”

Shaina burst into laughter, shaking her head. “You silly girl, no! Of course not.”

Nithya held her chest dramatically. “Phew! You almost gave me a heart attack!”

But as they resumed walking, Shaina’s laughter faded into a quiet, nervous smile. Her thoughts drifted back to Ranvijay. She couldn't deny the strange pull she felt toward him—the pain in his eyes, the silence he wore like armor.

Arjun’s Car

Inside a sleek black car parked near the curb, Arjun gripped the steering wheel, his eyes darting toward Neekah—his girlfriend—who sat in the passenger seat scrolling through her phone.

“I just wanted to talk about your tuition fees,” he began gently.

Neekah rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “I don’t care how you spin it, Arjun. If you can’t even take care of me, what’s the point of being my boyfriend?”

Arjun looked at her, stunned by the sudden harshness in her tone. “Neeks… you know I love you. It’s just—Sharda University is ridiculously expensive. I’m trying, but I can’t afford to take you there right now.”

Neekah’s eyes welled up—not with sadness, but frustration. “Don’t ever talk to me again. Lose my number.”

She flung open the car door without another word and stormed off. Arjun sat frozen, his heart sinking as he watched her disappear into her residential building. He called after her once, twice… but she never looked back.

*Flashback*

Ranvijay stood in the dimly lit corridor of their home, fists clenched at his sides.

“Who killed my dad?” he asked, his voice trembling.

His father's guard didn’t answered "Raj Vikram "Ranvijay’s eyes were already filled with something between sorrow and rage.

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